To close out 2023, the Philadelphia Flyers (19-11-5) visit the Scotiabank Saddledome to take on the Calgary Flames (14-16-5) at 8pm.
On Friday, the Flyers suffered an overtime loss, 2-1, to the Seattle Kraken. Tonight, they hope to have their legs back underneath them while up against the Flames, who struggled this season.
“There wasn’t much going on for a lot of the game. They [Seattle Kraken] ended up generating a little more as the game went on. We just grind away, find a way to get a point. You always want to get the other one.”
John Tortorella; 12/30/2023
A lead was surrendered late. The penalty kill generated a goal, then gave one up. Tonight, Philadelphia hopes to continue their newfound point streak, but with a win.
Calgary Flames
Speaking of the Kraken, Calgary lost, 2-1, to them on Wednesday. Nazem Kadri, the only Flames skater to score, found the back of the net on the powerplay.
Again, Kadri is a player to watch as the Flyers come to town. He scored 23 points (8G, 15A) in his career (28GP) versus them. However, he hasn’t contributed to the scoreboard versus Philadelphia since arriving in Calgary.
“We know they’re [Philadelphia Flyers] going to be a hard-working team. Based on their coach [Tortorella] and how they’re playing thus far. They’ve been able to collect lots of points and play really well. We’re going to have to be prepared.”
Nazem Kadri; 12/31/2023
Despite high-level talent, the Flames are sixth in the Pacific Division. They could make a wildcard push in 2024, but they’ll have their work cut out in a tight division. Kadri knows how hard the Flyers play, grinding down their opponents this season.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Calgary Flames:
Huberdeau-Lindholm-Sharangovich
Zary-Kadri-Pospisil
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Greer-Ruzicka-Dube
Hanifin-Tanev
Gilbert-Andersson
Oesterle-Weegar
Markstrom
(Vladar)
Philadelphia Flyers
The 2023 calendar year was a rollercoaster ride for Philadelphia. From a team without an identity and numerous question marks to a 76.7% chance of making the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 2023 calendar year was certainly a rollercoaster ride for the Flyers. To a team that had a lost identity and numerous question marks surrounding themselves at the beginning, they now have a 76.7% chance of making the playoffs.
Before shipping out to Edmonton, two points in Calgary are on the New Year’s Eve agenda.
Travis Konecny disappeared in the third period, reactive to an illness, during a win against the Vancouver Canucks. Travis Konecny potted the aforementioned shorthanded goal in Seattle. The ‘power kill’ featuring his chemistry with Scott Laughton, Konecny stuck with the rebound and jammed home the score. In his career against the Flames (10GP), Konecny totaled four points (2G, 2A), and last season, in February, he accounted for a multi-point evening.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Tippett-Couturier-Konecny
Foerster-Frost-Atkinson
Farabee-Poehling-Brink
Deslauriers-Laughton-Hathaway
York-Sanheim
Seeler-Walker
Zamula-Ristolainen
Ersson
(Hart)
Place Your Bets (via DraftKings)
Philadelphia Flyers (+120)
Calgary Flames (-142)
Travis Konecny anytime goalscorer (+165)
Nazem Kadri anytime goalscorer (+180)
Game Information
The Philadelphia Flyers visit the Calgary Flames at 8pm. The telecast is available on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The radio broadcast can be heard on 97.5 the Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
